New policies enacted for Bayonne schools produced a considerable drop in instances of bullying last school year, but keeping that number low is an ongoing struggle, according to school officials.

The Violence, Vandalism and Substance Abuse in New Jersey Schools report for 2012-13, released by the state on Dec. 5, shows that Bayonne schools saw only two instances of bullying during that period, which is a far cry from a reported 64 instances during the 2011-12 school year.

The report also noted that the district saw 29 incidents of violence, one of substance abuse, five of vandalism, and three weapons incidents last school year. That total reaches 38 when added to bullying numbers. That’s down from 74 total incidents in 2011-12.

Assistant Superintendent of Schools Robert Craig attributed the sudden plunge to staff becoming familiar with the state’s Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying (HIB) law, which was amended in 2011 to give specific protocol for dealing with bullying cases.

“The first year that the HIB law went into effect, the entire process was new to our administrators,” he said. “Following hours of intense training, the process of investigating and interviewing along with classroom instruction went into practice.”

Craig said training workshops, including one conducted by State Police on how to investigate bullying allegations, helped administrators and school bullying coordinators to more effectively combat the problem.

The application of anti-bullying programs and guidance counselors’ focus on preaching against harassment also contributed, he added.

“The number of confirmed cases dropped while at the same time the number of students suspended in our schools also dropped,” he noted. “Respect was the theme throughout our district.”

Craig said that “each and every” allegation of bullying is investigated by the school’s principal and bullying coordinator, and that several remedies are considered for the offender once the bullying is confirmed: Being moved to another classroom or school, being given counseling, and being punished with detention or suspension.

However, he stressed that just because the policies have seen recent results doesn’t mean that bullying in Bayonne schools has disappeared forever. He said the district has so far investigated 17 bullying allegations this year and confirmed two.